I’ve had a growing interest in aluminum coins lately and REALLY overpaid for one this week. Paid $3 for a Japanese 1 sen 1942 but with the proof like view of Mt Fuji I couldn’t pass it up. thanks for looking.
It's a very nice coin, Joe, and I don't think you overpaid for it. It's something that really appealed to you so you went for it. Done it many times myself. Bruce
The only aluminum coins I've ever "bought" were US patterns from when aluminum was worth more than gold, circa 1860.
This is one beautiful aluminum that I have. Settlements of Oceania (French Polynesia ) Period French Overseas Territory (1946-1957) Year 1952 Value 5 Francs Weight 3.8 g Diameter 31 mm Thickness 2.4 mm
Here's another aluminum from my collection - low mintage 1911 Lalimli Mills, Cawnpore Celebrating King George V King and Emperor Delhi Durbar https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delhi_Durbar
With the obvious exceptions of the 1974 and 1974-D aluminum cents, I don't really care much for aluminum coinage in general. Too light for my taste, almost like tokens at an arcade.
$3 is a steal. Those have a very nominal catalog value but actually finding a nice one is NOT easy. Ask me how I know. That goes for a lot of so-called common aluminum pieces. Very susceptible to environmental damage. But those war time era types, that is a real find.
Aluminum is greatly underrated. Much of it is exceedingly common and most of it is common in poor condition but some issues have been melted almost in their entirety and many of them are very scarce in pristine or Gem condition.
If aluminum coins are in good condition they can be very attractive and even comparable to silver. Here are a few of my favorites, though I could make quite a list of nice aluminum coins.
